Soccer game

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a novel table top soccer game that provides for variety in game play. Figurines may be manipulated by players in order to direct or block a spherical unit representing a soccer ball. The object of the game is to score a predetermined number of goals and the game may be played with or without cards that provide for variety in game outcome.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game designed to capture the fun and spirit of soccer in a table top format. Prior art table top soccer games are generally based simply on an opponent's ability to make a goal in a miniaturized setting. Thus prior art table top soccer games tend to lack complexity or variation of game play. The present invention provides an innovative and novel table top soccer game that allows for variety and chance to game play.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,457 teaches a table top game comprising an enclosed housing with figurines representing soccer players and a spring-loaded means to propel a marble representing a soccer ball. The outcome of the game is based on a player's ability to propel the marble in an opponent's goal and the mode of play is similar to that of conventional pinball games.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,397 teaches a table top soccer game comprising figures that come into contact with a representative soccer ball and players attempt to propel the “soccer ball” into an opponent's goal. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,397 Patent, figures come into contact with a representative soccer ball through propelled motion accomplished when players form a squeezing motion between the thumb and index finger.

The present invention provides a novel table top soccer game that provides more complexity and variety compared to prior art table top soccer games. Players attempt to propel a representative soccer ball into an opponent's goal, being careful to avoid placement of the ball in an out of bounds areas. In the event a player lodges the ball in the out of bounds area, the opposing team gains possession of the ball and may shoot on his opponent's goal. The invention further provides alternative modes of play, incorporating the optional use of playing cards, to provide variety to game play.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a table top soccer game for use by 2 to 4 players. Soccer competitors are represented by 12 individual figurines, divided into two groups of six per team. The figurines rest on top of a game board, with markings on the game board imitating a standard soccer field. Four of the six figurines to a team are attached to the game board and fixed in position. Two of the six figurines can be freely manipulated and controlled by the players. A marble or other spherical unit is used to represent a soccer ball. The soccer ball is also unattached to the game board and can be moved and controlled when a player grasps a detached figurine and makes impact with the ball.

Playing cards can also be incorporated in game play, providing variety to game outcome based on chance, rather than technical ability alone.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a table top soccer game.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a table top soccer game that allows for 2 or 4 players to play at the same time.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a table top soccer game that allows for the option of using specialized playing cards that allow for variety in game outcome and play.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the table top soccer game.

FIG. 2 shows a planar view of the table top soccer game from a position facing a goal area.

FIG. 3 shows perspective view of the table top soccer game from a position facing a goal area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF METHODS OF PLAY

FIG. 1 provides a top perspective view of the game. Either 2 or 4 players may play at once and the players are divided into two teams. Each team is comprised of 6 figurines 1, with one of the six configured as a striker 2 and a second figurine being configured as a blocker 3. The figurines rest above a game board 9. The striker and blocker are detached from the board, and may be freely manipulated by a player. The remaining four figurines are fixed to the game board but may be removed from the board through VELCRO or other semi-permanent means.

The game board comprises two goal areas 4, located at opposite ends of the board. The game board further comprises out of bounds areas 6 and field of play areas 5. When attempting to shoot on an opponent's goal, the shooting team must avoid having the ball rest within the out of bounds areas. Areas falling out of bounds 6 are indicated through separate and distinct markings or color when compared to the field of play.

The object of the game is to propel a marble or other spherical unit representing a soccer ball 20, into an opponent's goal. The two teams alternate turns as either a shooting team or a blocking team. The players flip a coin to determine who serves as the shooting team first. The team that wins the coin toss gets to serve as the shooting team first, and the losing team will serve as the blocking team. There are multiple designated in-field shooting spots 7 within the field of play that may be indicated through distinct markings or fixtures. These in-field shooting spots are positions from which a shooting team may place the ball for shooting on a blocking team's goal. The in-field shooting spots are well indicated on the playing board for easy location.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a shooting team's set up for play. Prior to making a shot on goal, the shooting team announces to the blocking team the in-field shooting spot 7 from where a shot will be attempted. The opponent's goal area is almost a mirror image of the view provided in FIG. 2 and is located on the opposite end of the game board. After the player announces the position from where he will attempt a shot, the opponent may position his blocker in such a manner so as to attempt to block the player's ball from entering his goal. The shooting player then places the ball on the announced shooting spot and strikes it with the striker figurine 2, attempting to direct the ball into the opponent's goal.

FIG. 3 shows a view from the perspective of a blocking team. The striker 2 of the shooting team is positioned above a designated shooting spot. 7 The player shooting the ball must avoid the out of bounds areas 6. In the event the shooting team shoots the ball and the ball comes to rest on the out of bounds area, the blocking team gains possession of the ball. A player from the blocking team places the ball on an out of bounds shooting spot 10 and attempts to make a shot on the shooting teams goal. In the event the blocking team fails to make a goal, game play continues with the blocking team alternating as shooting team and the shooting team alternating as the blocking team. The new shooting team follows the same rules of play as the first shooting team, as described above. The first player to score a predetermined number of goals wins. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first team to score seven goals wins the game.

When two players total are playing the game, one player must manipulate both the blocker and striker for his team. With four players playing at once, all rules are the same and differ only in that the blocker and striker figurines may be manipulated by two separate players on a team.

1. Alternative Embodiment of the Invention

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, specialized cards are incorporated, providing surprise and chance to game play. The game is played in the same manner described above, except when a shooting team lodges a ball in the out of bounds area, instead of the blocking team automatically gaining possession of the ball, the blocking team instead draws a card. The blocking team proceeds to follow directions given on the drawn card.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention there are 20 cards for each team and 7 different varieties of instructions within the 20 cards. The 7 different instructions on the cards and number of each of the card varieties are as follows:

-   -   1. 10 “out of bounds” cards: If an out of bounds card is drawn         the blocking team places the ball on an out of bounds shooting         spot and proceeds to shoot from the out of bounds position.     -   2. 2 “bonus shot” cards: If a bonus card is drawn, the blocking         team gets two consecutive shots from one of his in-field         designated shooting spots.     -   3. 1 “double bonus” card: If a double bonus card is drawn, the         blocking gets two consecutive shots from an out of bounds         shooting spot.     -   4. 1 “blocker ejected” card: If a blocker ejected card is drawn,         the blocking team can make a shot on the player's goal from an         out of bounds shooting spot, with the player's blocker being         lost for the game.     -   5. 2 “choose” cards: If a choose card is pulled the blocking         team may choose to shoot from any one of the designated shooting         spots or out of bounds shooting spots.     -   6. 3 “continue play” cards: If the blocking team draws a         continue play card the game continues and the blocking team         alternates as the shooting team and follows the same rules of         play as the original shooting team.     -   7. 1 “out of bounds with blocker” card: If the blocking team         draws this card the opponent may shoot from his out of bounds         shooting spot with the player being allowed to use his blocker.

Similar to play without cards, the first player to score seven goals wins the game. 

1. A method of playing a table top soccer game comprising a game board, multiple figurines, and a spherical unit incorporating the following rules of play: 2 or 4 players are divided into teams of two; said two teams alternate turns as a shooting team and a blocking team; a coin is tossed to determine the first shooting team; using the spherical unit representing a soccer ball, the first shooting team announces a designated shooting spot from which it will shoot; an opposing team acts as the blocking team and may place a blocker figurine in a strategic location in attempt to block the shot; the shooting team places the spherical unit on the announced designated shooting spot and strikes it with a striker figurine; if the shooting team succeeds in making a goal, the two teams alternate roles as shooting team and blocking team and the new shooting team follows the preceding rules of play; the first team to make a pre-determined number of goals wins the game; in the event a shooting team strikes the spherical unit in an out of bounds area the corresponding blocking team may gain possession of the spherical unit and attempt a shot on the shooting team's goal from an out of bounds shooting spot; following said blocking teams attempt on goal, the blocking team then alternates as a shooting team, repeating the preceding rules applied to shooting teams.
 2. A method of playing a table top soccer game comprising a game board, multiple figurines, and a spherical unit incorporating the following rules of play: 2 or 4 players are divided into two teams; said two teams alternate turns as a shooting team and a blocking team; a coin is tossed to determine the first shooting team; using the spherical unit representing a soccer ball, the first shooting team announces a designated shooting spot from which it will shoot; an opposing team acts as the blocking team and may place a blocker figurine in a strategic location in attempt to block the shot; the shooting team places the spherical unit on the announced designated shooting spot and strikes it with a striker figurine; if the shooting team succeeds in making a goal, the two teams alternate roles as shooting team and blocking team and the new shooting team follows the preceding rules of play applied to shooting teams; the first team to make a pre-determined number of goals wins the game; in the event a shooting team strikes the spherical unit in an out of bounds area the corresponding blocking team draws a card and follows instructions provided on said card to determine how the game continues.
 3. The table top soccer game of claim 2 wherein said cards are comprised of the following card varieties: “out of bounds” card; “bonus shot” card; “double bonus” card; “blocker ejected” card; “choose” card; “continue play” card; and “out of bounds with blocker” card. 